A former Standard Group journalist gave a sigh of relief after a court on Tuesday, October 13, intervened in a case where he was to pay his former boss millions for defamation.
The journalist, Vincent Mabatuk, successful appealed a case in which he had been ordered to pay the late President Daniel arap Moi's PA, Alex Kiprotich Chepkoit, Ksh8 million fine for damages.
Kiprotich had accused Mabatuk of defamation during the 2017 election campaigns.
Kiprotich who is the Standard Group bureau chief for Nakuru was awarded Ksh6 million in general damages and Ksh2 million in aggravated damages.
“The court finds that the service of summons to enter appearance was not effected upon the defendant as required by law.
"Consequently, the judgement herein and all the consequential orders are hereby set aside,” ruled the judge.
In May, Kenyans.co.ke learnt from a reliable source that the two fell out following Mabatuk's series of Facebook posts that were considered defamatory to his boss as the two parties campaigned for different parties in the then elections.
"The alleged defamation happened during the 2017 campaigns when, Mabatuk was supporting current Baringo Governor Stanley Kiptis and then Senatorial aspirant Chelugui (the current CS Labour).
"Alex was on the opposing side. The defamation arose due to political differences," stated the journalist
After leaving his reporting job at The Standard, Mabatuk ran for the Mogotio Ward seat but lost.
In the suit, Kiprotich was seeking the defendant to issue an apology and be compelled to pay him damages for defamation and causing him psychological and emotional distress.
Kiprotich doubled as both Mzee Moi's PA as well as the bureau chief of The Standard newspaper in Nakuru. He later served as Baringo Senator Gideon Moi communication manager.
